Cadherin-17 (CDH17), which is also referred to as liver-intestine cadherin (LI-cadherin), is a member of the cadherin superfamily of calcium-dependent cell adhesion molecules. In the gastrointestinal tract, CDH17 is predominantly expressed in the intestinal epithelium, contributing to cell-cell adhesion, and maintenance of epithelial integrity. CDH17-mediated adhesion plays a crucial role in regulating epithelial barrier function, mucosal repair, and protection against microbial invasion. Additionally, CDH17 is involved in the formation and maintenance of intestinal epithelial cell polarity, which is essential for proper absorption and secretion of nutrients and electrolytes. During liver organogenesis, hepatoblasts and bile duct epithelial cells express CDH17, which participates in cell-cell adhesion and tissue organization. In the adult liver, however, CDH17 expression is restricted to the bile duct epithelium, where it contributes to the structural integrity of bile ducts and regulates bile flow. Dysregulation of CDH17 expression or function is associated with gastrointestinal malignancies, including gastric cancer, colorectal cancer, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Overexpression of CDH17 in cancer cells promotes tumor cell proliferation, invasion, and metastasis by enhancing cell-cell adhesion, facilitating epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and modulating signaling pathways involved in tumor progression. CDH17 represents a promising therapeutic target in order to treat gastrointestinal disorders and malignancies. Nevertheless further research is required to elucidate the precise molecular mechanisms induced by CDH17 signaling pathways and to explore its therapeutic implications in various pathological conditions.
